Women are earning only 64 per cent of the average male's wage and salary income - Australia wide, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS Director, Lisa Conolly, said that "While average wage and salary income in Australia for 2010-11 was $51,923, males recorded a higher average of $62,699 compared with $40,312 for females.

"The report shows that men earn more than women in every state and territory with the gap being particularly large in Western Australia where females earn only 55 per cent of the average male income.

"These figures have not changed much since 2005-06," said Ms Conolly.

Since 2005-06 Australia recorded an average annual earnings growth rate of 4.9 per cent. Western Australia and Queensland recorded the highest average annual growth rates of6.9 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively and New South Wales and Victoria both recorded the lowest average annual growth rates of 4.4 per cent.

"Overall the Australian Capital Territory continued to have the highest average wage and salaries income at $60,987. This was followed by Western Australia on $57,365 and the Northern Territory on $54,082.

"However, Sydney provided eight out of Australia's top ten regions for the highest average wage and salary income.